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Big toe fusion

Posted , 6 users are following.

joanne11243
joanne11243

I had my big toe fused 10 weeks ago. The pain I had before the operation has gone but I now have pain underneath my foot and all over. (Some I think may go with my physio) But has anyone else has this operation? An what was the recovery like? I originally broke a bone in my foot 10 months ago so this has been going on for a long time!

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • sandi27417
    sandi27417 joanne11243

    Posted

    I have not had this problem however, your pain and swelling sounds like post surgical nerve pain and should go away with time. Give it time.
  • 19amy67
    19amy67 joanne11243

    Posted

    I had my big toe fused and bunion removed 2 1/2 yrs ago (Feb). You absolutely need to give it time. It took awhile for the swelling to go away and the pain (I had burning pain on top of my foot and occasionally still get -- more of an aching irritation now than pain). I was back to work in Apr as a retail merchandiser so I am on my feet all day. By the end of the day the foot was swollen and aching and I kept it elevated for several months but trust me it gets better.

    One thing I did do was start to move my toes on that foot back and forth (I used the other foot alot to help move the big toe that was fused). I love to wear flip flops and that was the hardest thing to get used to again -- the toe doesn't move the same as it did obviously, however, I can still wear flip flops and move it up and down slightly.

    • joanne11243
      joanne11243 19amy67

      Posted

      Thanks. I kept thinking it should've all been ok but my physio was saying foot surgery is a long recovery process.

    • misskh
      misskh joanne11243

      Posted

      Hi Joanne.

      I'm 12 weeks today... big toe fusion. I can't say my foot is painful

      during the day but there is discomfort...and the toe itself feels

      so odd which I suppose is only natural as it now has a plate and

      screws in.

      Walking is still uncomfortable but I try and go for a walk every

      day, I'm not speedy just at a slow pace and it's a must that I think

      about how I'm walking as at first it was Penguin style....foot flat

      down no bending ankle.... which was fine for the first 8 weeks

      or so of recovery but then I started getting used to it and my

      ankle became stiff. I still elevate my feet during the day as they

      still swell I also soak them in warm water and Epsom salts.

      The only thing that I wish would stop is the awful aching,

      twinging and twanging...as I call it... that happenes when I go to

      bed at night....thats the worst time for me, sometimes it feels

      as though my foot is being squeezed in a vice. I can only

      assume its still the nerves settling down.

      I've still to have what should be my 12 week chech up...can't get

      that until 28th September so iI'll be17 weeks post by then, not

      that I mind more time to recover is how I see it.

      My surgeon said it can take a year to fully recover from the op

      so it's early days yet but all that you discribe sounds normal.

  • lana5091
    lana5091 joanne11243

    Posted

    I had this surgery 4 1/2 weeks ago. I'm wondering if during your recovery if you ever stretched the door during the middle of the night. As I was turning to get comfortable last night I apparently stretched. Of course I felt a big twinge right away. Today the toe as hurt a little and feels a little strange. I didn't know whether stretching could move anything.

    I do know that they say it is a very long process to get rid of pain and swelling if that helps. My Dr said up to a year

    • joanne11243
      joanne11243 lana5091

      Posted

      I had issues with sleeping (still do) When I stretched it felt like a pull in my toe. It won't move the metal work though.

      I'm still in pain and find it hard walking far. Need another scan now to see if another joint needs fusing!

    • lana5091
      lana5091 joanne11243

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. I had visions of be pulling everything apart everything out of whack.  Seems to be a little better today.  I am sorry you are still feeling pain. I think it just takes longer than we all think. I will be having the right toe done in December. I suspect it is going to be some time before both feet will be back to some sort of normal.
    • joanne11243
      joanne11243 lana5091

      Posted

      I was in a car accident soon after the surgery and I asked my physio. She said it would need a significant bang for any issues with the metal.

      Good luck with your next op.

    • 19amy67
      19amy67 lana5091

      Posted

      It took awhile for me to be able to stretch (point my big toe) at night and not wake myself up from the pain.
    • lana5091
      lana5091 19amy67

      Posted

      I am happy to know someone else has had this.  I was so afraid I did something. I can tell you it sure did hurt!!  Thanks!
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